Stocking Advice, New To Cichlids

[Matty1080]

Hi,

Ive just recently got my first aquarium about a 2 weeks ago for free, and a mate from work has a 4ft tank 45-55 gallons (awaiting correct measurements, only got 4w x 1d x 2h(approx)ft) for £40 so gonna pick that up.

Ive been looking into what fish i want in, and looking at Malawi Cichlids (Mbuna) and have narrowed it down to 5 species and im wondering if this would be compatiable with each other and in the said tank:

Elongatus Mpanga
Kribensis
Jewel Cichlid
Yellow Lab
Electric Blue Johannii

also looking to add a plec in there too

Ive been read i little into Mbuna and i understand i need a highish pH, my current tap water 7-7.2, would added certain sand increase this to the correct level? (Id prefer black sand if there is a buffering one?)

Can i put any plants in? ive read people saying cichlids will just dig them up?

Cheers

Matty

 

[michaelh]

From what i gather (could be wrong) johannii are nasty.
Jewels and kribs just dont belong with mbuna full stop and the yellow lab is quite a tame one from experience so you have to watch what you put with them. You really need to stick to one type of african (especially if your new to them) or things can go very bad.

 

[M0RPH]

the only species on that list i would be concerned about would be the kribs...
i have all of the other species list by yourself along with a fair few more.
although kribs are classed as cichlids they are really better suited to a community tank.
jewel cichlids will adapt to pretty much any tank mates (within reason) i have had jewels in with american cichlids as well as africans.